Tiguan gets sharper new appearance

WITH manufacturers seemingly releasing a new high-riding car every other week, it reflects an overwhelming appetite for SUVs.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has had its fair share of this success too, with more than six million units shifted worldwide since its release back in 2007.

Fast forward to 2021 and the game has moved on considerably, which is why Volkswagen has taken the decision to sharpen the Tiguan.

You can’t fault Volkswagen for wanting to play it safe with this new Tiguan. As the saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and, given this car’s success, things seem to be largely in a good state of repair.

This latest Tiguan does debut a sharper new look more in keeping with the rest of the Volkswagen family, while the interior has been lavished with the latest features.

The engines have been worked on too. The diesels are now more efficient while the petrols incorporate cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy.

“Our” Tiguan makes use of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 148bhp and 250Nm of torque.

Those power figures result in a 0-60mph time of just under nine seconds and a top speed of 126mph, with drive sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

For a four-wheel-drive you’ll need to switch to a dieselpowered variant.

The 1.5-litre Tiguan has a claimed fuel economy of 38.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 165g/km.

The Tiguan is, largely, a hassle-free car to pilot. The steering is light and manageable, while the brakes operate with a good degree of confidence.

But the 20-inch alloy wheels fitted as part of our car’s R-Line specification undo an otherwise refined experience.

With wheel sizes ranging from 17-inch, there are enough options to choose from, and these smaller alloys will do little to detract from the Tiguan’s striking good looks while giving it a real boost in comfort.